Waltzingmouse August SOAP - Day 4 - Rewind to Afternoon Tea!

Welcome to the last day of the Waltzingmouse August Stamp of Approval Parade - today all of the Design Team is parading the Afternoon Tea stamp set. Check the end of my post to see how you can participate in a parade challenge!

Today I created a little teabox to gift to a friend filled with lovely teabags! 

Our own DT member, Sarah Martina Parker, designed this box -  I found her template here.  I thought it was the perfect size for gifting teabags (2 1/2" x 3") and the handle looked just like the old vintage metal canisters.

After constructing the box and cover - I cut panels of patterned papers slightly smaller than the sides and adhered the papers to them - including the cover, the cover edges and the handle.

After stamping the teapot - I cut it out and instead of trying to fussy cut the inside of the handles (which I DID try disasterously once!) - I punched it out with a small oval punch.  The sentiment is cut with a Labels Trio die by Spellbinders. 
 

I stamped and hand cut the little teabag label, put a staple at the top like a real teabag (!) and attached a piece of black/white twine to the back.  I adhered the label with foam tape and looped the twine behind the teapot, as if the teabag was already simmering in the pot!
 
So there you go - I hope I've given you a little inspiration for using this wonderful Afternoon Tea stamp set!  You can see all of my Afternoon Tea projects in my WMS gallery by clicking here.

As our parade ends - we invite you to participate in a CASE (Copy and Share Everything) competition.

Find a card or project from any of those posted during the SoAP by the WMS Design Team. CASE that project using Waltzingmouse Stamp images, post it on your blog or gallery and link it using the Inlinkz on Claire’s blog.

The competiton will close at 8:00 AM Claire’s time (Ireland) on  August 10th (3 AM Eastern, 2 AM Central and Midnight Pacific time).

One project will be randomly selected to be highlighted with a Parade of its own on several of the Design Team blogs. The winner will be announced on Claire’s blog on August 11th.

And now I hope you'll follow the parade one last time to see what the other Design Team members have created using this wonderful tea stamp set!  Thank you SO much for joining us these past 4 days!

Anya Schrier
Claire Brennan
Jennifer Holmes
Julia Aston You are here!
Kate Whelan
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Sarah Martina Parker
Tosha Leyendekker  

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Afternoon Tea
Paper:  Vintage Cream, Rustic White - PTI, DP - Basic Grey Paper Pad - Pyrus
Ink:  Memento Potters Clay and London Fog, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories:  brass brads - Bazzill, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, twine - PTI, Trio Labels - Spellbinders, rhinestones - Kaiser, small oval punch - SU, foam tape, stapler, Cropadile.

Dad's Stuff

Here's a fun gift idea for Dad for Father's Day - or any day!

I painted an unfinished wooden container from Michaels with brown acrylic paint and then adhered this fun ruler paper on all sides cutting it slightly smaller then each panel.

I stamped a grid background and Dad's Stuff , both from Waltzingmouse, on a Nestability scalloped tag and sponged the edges. Then I just tied a rope twine around it and tucked the tag under the rope.

This would be great on Dad's workbench or desk to hold all those little things needed at arms reach!

Thanks for coming by today!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Dad's Stuff from Little Box Labels, grid pattern from Off Beat Backgrounds

Paper: Rulers DP - TIm Holtz Distressables/Ranger,( I've had this for a while - not sure it's still available) Rustic White - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress Old Paper and Tea Dye, Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Ropetwine - SU, scalloped tags - Nestabilities, Acrylic Paint - Plaid/Brown Oxide

Which Came First? The Carrot or the Duck???

Those of you who know me or visit here frequently - know I'm often making seasonal crafts to sell at my church.  Today I wanted to share a couple of little treats I made for our Easter Sale.

First off are these fun stubby carrots -  I think I make these every year -  they are just so cute they make me laugh just to see them!!    Each year I stamp them up a little differently!  I fill them with chocolate eggs and a little basket shred.

You can find the template for them on Split Coast - here.  (ETA I fixed the link - sorry!)  The Easter sentiment is from WMS Spring Baskets and the dots background is from PTI Polka Dot Basics  Just click on any pic to see it larger.

I always make at least 6 of everything when I make them for a sale - so here are my 6 stubby carrots in a basket!  I used wrinkled seam tape for the 'carrot tops'.

Then I made some little duck treat holders - that I also found on Split Coast here.  I used the duckling pattern.

I added punched circle eyes and sponged their bodies and beaks to give them a little dimension.  I also stamped Easter sentiments on both wings from WMS Spring Baskets.

If you'd like to see other Easter Projects I've posted on my blog over the years  - click here!

Thanks so much for coming by today!  And Happy Easter for those who celebrate.

Hope you can stop by again tomorrow -  I'll have yet another Easter Craft to show you for the Friends of WMS Blog Waltz!

WMS SOAP - Stamp of Approval Parade Day 4 - Spring Baskets Treat Boxes

Welcome to our 4th and final day of the WMS SOAP! 

On this last day of our parade - all of the Design Team participants are creating projects using the Spring Blessings stamp set.  Just in time to inspire you for any Easter or Springtime projects you may need soon!

Today I have made some cute little treat boxes for the Easter dinner table or perhaps to bring when visiting a friend or loved one in a nursing home or even to just give a friend when dropping by to say 'hello'!

Just click on any image to see it a bit larger.   The dotted oval stamp on the sentiment is from the Fancy Phrases set and all other images are from Spring Baskets.  I cut out two of the daffodils and layered them over the image with foam tape.  Two of the paper pieced eggs are up on foam tape too - just to give a little dimension.

I found the box template at PaperCrafts Magazine under downloads from  the 350 Cards and Gifts issue (scroll down till you come to the baby blocks template)  I enlarged the template size 125% on my printer to come up with an approximately 2"x2" square box.

I cut the grass from green tissue paper (recycled from the inside of a gift bag I received!) using a die from MFT.

For the sentiments - I stamped the dotted oval framing with Wild Honey Ranger Ink and the sentiment in black - then cut it with a Petite Oval Nestability, embossed it and sponged with Mustard Seed Ranger ink before removing it from the die.  I adhered it to the cover with foam tape.

I added some Orange Peel Stickles to the center of my daffodils for a little shimmer!

So, there you go - some pretty little Easter Treat boxes for your holiday decorating and treat giving needs!

Today we also have an exciting announcement - Claire has chosen 3 new WMS Design Team Members -  I am SO excited to welcome Tosha Leyendekker, Kate Whelan and Niki Estes!!  whoo hoo!   such talent these ladies bring to the table!! -  Please welcome them when you visit their blogs linked below with the rest of the design team!!

We hope that you have enjoyed, and have been inspired, by our 4 day Stamp of Approval Parade!

Now it’s time for you to get your craftiness on as we invite you to participate in a CASE (Copy and Share Everything) competition.

Choose a card or project from any of the Design Team projects posted during our parade.  CASE that project using Waltzingmouse Stamp images, and link it using the Inlinkz on Claire’s blog. At the end of the competition, one project will be randomly selected to be highlighted with a Parade of its own on several of the Design Team blogs.

You have one week to complete your project and link it.  The competition will close on April 10th at 8:00 am Claire’s time (3 am Eastern, 2 am Central and Midnight Pacific time).  The winner will be announced on Claire’s blog on April 11th.

And now -  without further ado -  here is the blog link list for you to check out all the wonderful ways to use Spring Baskets!

• Anya Schrier
• Belinda Chang Langner
• Bonnie Sharp

Claire Brennan

• Jennifer Holmes
• Julia Aston
• Kate Whelan - Welcome New DT Member!
• Laurie Schmidlin
• Lynn Mercurio
• Mona Pendleton
• Niki Estes   Welcome New DT Member!
• Sandie Dunne
• Sarah Martina Parker
• Tosha Leyendekker  Welcome New DT Member!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Spring Baskets, Fancy Phrases.

Paper:  Harvest Gold, white, Text Style Happy Spots, Text Style 2009 Bitty Dot Basics - PTI, green tissue paper.

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Wild Honey, Mustard Seed.

Accessories:  grass die - MFT, petite oval nestability, foam tape, orange peel Stickles, Copics: R32, BG10, YG13, YR24, Y13, Y02, Y38, V12, E34, BG32, Box Template - Papercrafts Magazine Downloads, scortape.

Have You Seen the PaperCrafts 350 Cards & Gifts??

Good golly! I'm SO excited to share with you that I've been published! If you get a chance - check out your local craft shop for the PaperCrafts 350 Cards and Gifts publication. It's jam packed with all kinds of inspiring projects and cards!

Under the Gifts Section , on page 142 you'll find my little stamped canvas bag.   The stamps I used here are from Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees Set.

You can find these great little canvas bags at Pouch Mart 
And under the Food Wraps section on page 107 you'll find my little Doggie Treats box.

I even made my own little doggie milk bones to go inside! Check out the Bullwrinkle Web site under 'dog treat recipes' at the bottom of the page for lots of fun recipes.  The Nestie Frame stamp is from Waltzingmouse - Holiday Labels No. 14,  the dog bone and sentiment are from My Favorite Things - Friends Furever.

Thanks for indulging me and sharing my excitement today! Hope you have a wonderful weekend - we're finally getting warmer sunny weather here in New England - all of our snow piles have finally melted!

Canvas bag:

Stamps: waltzingmouse - Teen Trees

Paper: Night of Navy - SU, Rustic White - PTI

Ink: Ranger Distress Chipped Sapphire, Peeled Paint, Dusty Concord, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalane, barn Door, Crushed Olive, Stormy Sky, Rusty Hinge.

Accessories: circle punch & scalloped circle punch - SU, beaded key chain - Michaels, muslin drawstring bag - Pouch Mart.

Doggie Treats box:

Stamps: Holiday Labels No 14 - Waltzingmouse, dog bone and sentiment - My favorite Things

paper: Vintage cream, Bitty Dot Basics - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Tea Dye.

Accessories: pewter eyelet - SU, black twill & twine - PTI, black/tan striped ribbon -May Arts, Label 14 Nestability, gable box - PTI

Treats For My Valentine!

If you foll0w my blog at all - then you know how much I LOVE making treat containers! Thought I'd share a few that I made for a Valentine's Sale at my church last week.

I got these pails at Target last year on sale, after season. I decorated them with some stampings and slipped a box of crayons, a pad of paper and some candies inside! The stamps are Waltzingmouse, Rubbernecker and Papertrey Ink.

Stamps: Heart - Sweet Hearts/Waltzingmouse, Happy Valentine's Day - Rubbernecker, Pail & sentiment - Tiny Treats Valentines/Papertrey Ink
Paper: White - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Fired Brick
Accessories: foam dimensionals, paper shred, pail - Target, heart punch - EK Success, circle and lacey circle nestabilities, green & red copic.

My talented stamping friend, Anya, had these cones on her blog with a link to the template. I knew as soon as I saw them I wanted to make some! I put 5 kisses in each one along with some basket shred. I just used patterned paper for the cones (instead of stamping them like Anya did) since I was mass producing!

Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Scarlet Jewell, White - PTI, DP's My Mind's Eye/Irresistable, K & Co/Smitten
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Modern label punch - SU, Shiny stems - Michaels, cone template - http://www.afieldjournal.blogspot.com. , hole punch, heart punch - EK Success

I got this idea from fellow WMS DT member Joan - I decorated it all a little differently but got the bag idea from her. Of course, I just happened to have some of these bags in my stash!?! The little brown bag is open at the top so these message hearts come out and you could also slip in a gift card! I love, love, love this stitching stamp from WMS!!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sweet Hearts, Off Beat Backgrounds (stitching)
Paper: Pure Poppy, White, Berry Sorbet - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Lady Bug
Accessories: minibags - Michaels, heart punch - EK Success, twine - PTI

I got these pretty scalloped heart dishes last year at Michaels after season (2 for $1!). I had some paper doilies that I adhered to the inside of the dish. I filled a baggie with cherry jelly hearts, tied it with wrinkled seam tape and then trimmed off the top of the bag. I made a tag with a Spellbinders die, stamped it and added foam hearts and a ribbon to the top. Then I just slipped the bag and tag into the dish! So it's a card and gift all in one!

So there you go! hope they inspire! I suddenly feel like eating some candy for some reason !!! LOL!!!

Hope to see you tomorrow for the WMS Saturday Sketch!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Sweet Hearts
Paper: White - PTI, Riding hood red - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: red dotted ribbon, foam hearts, lacey tissue doily, heart dishes - Michaels, wrinkled seam tape - http://www.prairiebirdboutique.etsy.com/ , scalloped tag - Spellbinders, baggies, candy

A Shaker Basket & A Doctor's Bag And News!

One of my New Year's resolutions is to clean up my craft room AND use things I find that I forgot I had purchased! So I was thrilled to see this wooden basket in the inspiration web store Neest that Stephanie showed us for the Inspiration challenge over on Split Coast this week.This is apparently a design from Sweden - but reminded me of the Papertrey Shaker box template that I bought & downloaded last year but had not yet used! This is the largest one out of the 3 templates included and is about 2 1/2" x 5 1/2". It includes a cover but I designed a handle instead to go along with the inspiration photo.

I have been home from work after surgery through the holidays and I went back this Monday (sigh....). Since I wasn't there to give my co-workers Hanakkuh and Christmas gifts - I brought in 'Happy New Year" gifts for them.

This box is the perfect size for giving these delish giant oatmeal raisin cookies (Martha Stewart Recipe). I kept the tag CAS to go along with the simple Shaker style. The wreath and sentiment are from Waltzingmouse Stamps. I sponged the edges of the box and then swiped the edge of the ink over the pieces to look like wood grain.

Stamps: Faux Fun Circles, Half Backed Gingerbread Joy - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: Fine Linen - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress - Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
Accessories: brads - Imaginese, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, scor tape, paper piercer, circle punch, shaker box template - Papertrey Ink

I thought these fun 'doctor' bags would be perfect to put treats in for the two physicians I work for.

I purchased this great template from Lynn's blog store here some months after the holidays last year (advance planning for this year!) Check out ALL of her fun templates while you are there.

I found this shiny textured Bazzill paper that looks very much like leather so it was perfect to use for the doctor bags. The names were computer generated and printed on mailing labels then layered on slightly larger rectangles of silver paper and adhered to the front of the boxes.

The top opens just enough to slip in a few of the same cookies that I put in the Shaker basket above and a piece or two of fudge! The cute padlock is actually a brad and I used a square of velcro to hold the top closed as per the template instructions.

This looks so cool from the side - the design of these bags is just super! I recommend if you purchase this template - to make one first out of scrap paper so you see how everything fits before using the 'good' paper!

And here are the two completed bags. I think they were impressed!

And I just have to share - I am SO excited to be able to tell you this!!! Check this PaperCrafts posting out and look who's a winner under Season's Greetings!!! (that would be ME in that group) did you see the wonderful gigunda package of goodies we each got?!?!? I'll post my winning card here on Feb 16th when the March/April Issue of PaperCrafts goes on sale!

Hope to see you back here Saturday when I'll have a card for the Waltzingmouse sketch challenge!

Paper: Black Tie - Bazzill Basics, Silver metallic foil board - Grafix

Accessories: Brads - Basic Grey, cropadile, pewter jumbo eyelets - Stampin Up, Avery mailing label - Staples, scor tape, velcro, pad lock brads - Creative Imaginations, template -

Welcome to Day 1 of the Waltzingmouse Twelve Days of Christmas!

Normally at this time, we'd be previewing new stamp sets for release. However, there will be no release this month in order to allow Claire time to focus on a few "behind the scenes" plans that will take us to the next level in the new year.

It's all very exciting, so we ask that you bear with us! It will be worth it! Instead, we're coming together to bring you some ideas and inspiration for holiday crafting (and beyond) which we are calling 12 Days of Christmas Waltzingmouse Style! Each day will showcase a different design team member, so be sure to check back daily through December 17th for the links... and enjoy!

Welcome to the 1st day of the Waltzingmouse 12 Days of Christmas!

Today - I'm sharing some really easy wrapping ideas!

Please note: you can see the supply list and links for all projects at the end of my post.

My first project is OH SO simple! I just printed out a sheet of Claire's Celtic Squares Digital Patterned Paper (I printed it on a sheet of off white stationary that is slightly heavier than plain computer paper - I got a package of it at Staples some time ago) When you print it there is a small border all around so I just cut that off. This is a 4"x4"x1" jewelrey box and it fit perfectly on this sheet with a little to spare. (If your box is bigger - you can just tape pieces of the DP together - I'd use Scor tape to be sure it's a good hold and overlap the edges)

I just wrapped the box and tied this lovely wide striped ribbon around with a knot.

Then I stamped my tag and cut it out with a Circle Nestability. Above you can see what I stamped on the back of the tag. And below is the front (Nutcracker Sweet set)

Thought I'd share how I attach a tag to a ribbon as I'd often have trouble having it 'sit' straight and found that this method works well. I took my twine and folded it in half - put the loop through the hole from back to front - then pulled the open ends through the loop and pulled up to close the loop. Then I tied the ends around the ribbon. I left long ends on my twine but you can also cut them close if you don't want it to show as much.

Next up is a masculine wrapping idea! Keeping it plain and simple, I used some brown packing paper that came in one of my 'ordered way to much craft stuff' packages - I always save the paper and finally had a reason to use it!! First I ironed the paper quickly to smooth out some of the bigger creases in it. Then I wrapped up my package.

I wanted to make a belly band - so I measured around the box. Again I'm using another color of Claire's Celtic Squares Digital Patterned paper. I printed out a sheet and cut 2 panels each 3" wide. (ok so these panels are the same size below even though the bottom one looks bigger! - it's like one of those 'optical' puzzles!?!)

I taped the panels together so it would be long enough to go around my package. Then I stamped my images (with the Celtic Square pattern it's SO easy to line up your stamping!) These stamps are from Nutcracker Sweet.

To be sure the panel would stay on the package - I used ScorTape to adhere it - placing a strip a little in from both top and bottom edges. I lined up approximately the center of the panel to the center front of the package being sure the design was where I wanted it - then pressed it on around each side - overlapping at the back.

Instead of fancy ribbon - I just wrapped some twine around 3 times and knotted it - leaving long tails.

To give a nice finished look to the top I cut a square of the digital paper and stamped my 'tag' right on it! No extra fluff for the guys!

A nice, no fuss, masculine gift wrapping don't you think??

For my final gift wrapping idea I used Claire's Freebie 3 Kings template. Maybe some of your friends do not celebrate Christmas and a New Year's gift is more appropriate? This could be used as a gift card holder or as a treat holder at a party.

I printed Claire's template on white card stock, scored all the dotted lines and cut out the two diamond shapes with my xacto knife.

This time I used Claire's Victorian Digitial Patterned paper - cutting 3 panels 2"x3 1/2". I then made a pattern for the 'crown' panels - tracing one piece of the crown template -then drawing a line 1/8" inside each edge (so it's smaller than the template) - cutting it out on that inside edge then tracing that 3 times on my digital paper.

I stamped the snowflake from Very Vintage Christmas randomly on my cut out panels and adhered them onto the template. Then I folded up the template and adhered the edges using ScorTape to ensure a good hold. The bottom opens up so you can tuck a gift inside!

I tied a luscious piece of black silk ribbon round the 'neck'. I die cut the biggest Nestie snowflake out of white cardstock and sponged the edges. Then I die cut the next size snowflake out of the digital paper and over layed the sentiment. The sentiment stamp, from Asian Garden Additions, is all on one line - so I just inked the 'happy' and stamped it - then inked the 'new year' and stamped it underneath - punched it and sponged the edges

Does my treat box look 'big' from the back?? LOL!!

Tomorrow, Anya will hosting the 2nd Day of the Waltzingmouse Twelve Days of Christmas. On any day you can click on the icon at the top of my right sidebar to find out who's hosting - you won't want to miss one day! I hope you are inspired by my wrapping ideas today!

The Green Box

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Nutcracker Sweet

Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI, Digital Patterned Paper/Celtic Squares - Waltzingmouse

Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves

Accessories: Twine - PTI, striped ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Shop, Circle Nestabilities

The Brown Paper Box

Stamps: Waltzingmouse -Nutcracker Sweet

Paper: Brown packing paper, Digital Patterned Paper/Celtic Squares - Waltzingmouse

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Twine, scortape

Three Kings Box

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Snowflake - Very Vintage Christmas, Happy New Year - Asian Garden Additions

Paper: White - PTI, Digital Patterned Paper/Victorian - Waltzingmouse

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Weathered Wood

Accessories: xacto knife, Create a Snow Flake - Spellbinders, small oval punch - SU, Satin Ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Shop, foam dimensionals, Scortape, 3 Kings Template - Waltzingmouse

The Last of the Halloween Treats!

Hi, Dear Friends! I'm actually doing a lot of stamping but it's all Design Team stuff so I can't share it just yet! (it will all start on 11/4 so be sure to come by!) Wait 'til you see what Claire's coming out with next!!!

For now - I wanted to share a few of the treat containers I made for Halloween to sell at my church fair this past weekend that I hadn't posted here yet.

Decorating or making containers is one of my most favorite things to do - as you probably know if you come by to visit me at regular intervals!!

I got these cute little jars at JoAnn's for $1.oo each! They are about 2"x1" and I filled them with bat droppings (malted milk balls in this case!)

The stamps are Waltzingmouse - Wanda's Pantry and Midnight Feast.

Next - I totally, shamelessly copied these fun little houses from Steph I absolutely loved them when I saw them on her blog. (Thank you Steph!!!)

The template is Claire's and is available free at Waltzingmouse (Claire decorated it as a Gingerbread house). How clever of Steph to see a haunted Halloween house in it!!

I made mine so the bottom opens (didn't glue the tabs) - and I slipped a little bag of candy corn inside. The stamps are from Midnight Feast.

And finally - I got these fun pails at Target last year for $1 each (I almost forgot I had bought them - I had put them in my attic and found them 3 days before the fair!) So I quickly decorated them up!
The stamps are from Wanda's Pantry - the bats are Spellbinders, the ghost is Sizzix, the web ribbon is from Sharon's Stamp Simply Ribbon Shop and the saddle stitched ribbon is PTI. I drew eyes on the bats with a silver marker. (I know - bats don't have eyes - but they look more spooky with them!) So there you go - are you in the Halloween spirit now?!!! You've still got 2 days to make something!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!